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Governor Magoon delivers an update on the occupation of Cuba. He discusses the progress of the insurgent forces, and the yellow fever situation is also improving. He is also working with liberal leaders to remove leftover leaders and electing municipal governments. He ends the telegram with an update on the payment of soldiers’ salaries and other expenses.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-15
After speaking with Frank S. Cairns and Eugene Frederick Ladd, Secretary of War Taft believes the Cuban government under President Tomás Estrada Palma cannot continue. A small number of rurales and militia are spread around the island, with artillerymen and a few thousand municipal police concentrated in Havana. Insurgents are surrounding the city and also areas of Santa Clara, slowed by the arrival of United States troops on the Denver. Estrada Palma lacks support and is unprepared, and his office under Fernando Andrade is linked to abuses of power and election fraud. Without public support, Assistant Secretary of State Robert Bacon and Taft cannot recommend supporting Estrada Palma, yet insurgents still need to be driven out to protect the Cuban government and its people. A meeting will be held today with liberal leader Alfredo Zayas y Alfonso as well as insurgent leaders. Forcible intervention on the part of the United States cannot be avoided and Roosevelt’s approval is sought to move forward.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-21
In order to reestablish normal conditions, President Estrada Palma decrees that in the Provinces of Pinar del Rio, Havana, and Santa Clara the guarantees specified by the Constitution of the Republic in Articles 15, 16, 17, 19, 22, 23, 24, and 27 are suspended.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-10
Jacob Sleeper, chargé d’affaires in Cuba, informs Secretary of State Elihu Root that the peace efforts of the Cuban veterans led by General Mario García Menocal have failed and that President Tomás Estrada Palma declared martial law and has begun arresting suspected members of the Revolutionary Committee. He also describes the effect of martial law on the city of Havana.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-11
Nelson P. Webster relays to Secretary to the President Loeb that Consul General Steinhart wired from Cuba that the rebellion there is spreading in the provinces of Havana, Santa Clara, and Pinar del Rio. President Estrada Palma has requested American military intervention, and warns that any delay “may produce a massacre of citizens in Havana.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-12
Jacob Sleeper, chargé d’affaires, updates Secretary of State Root on the uprising in Cuba. The veterans have given up their efforts to bring about peace, and President Tomás Estrada Palma is not certain if the government will be able to put down the rebellion although he is hopeful there will be a quorum in the House and Congress. Estrada Palma has pledged to safeguard Americans and their property. In Santa Clara and Pinar del Rio provinces, bridges and culverts have been destroyed. The rebels are now threatening to dynamite train stations.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-13
Chargé d’affaires Sleeper updates Secretary of War Root on the fighting in Cuba. The United States forces defeated Cuban combatants who attacked a train.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-10
Jacob Sleeper, the chargé d’affaires in Cuba, informs Secretary of State Root that the Cuban government’s Amnesty Order had little effect and the rebellion is still active. Sleeper believes that rebel leader Faustino Guerra is waiting for the Cuban government to make the first move, but the government is lacking in men and arms. It is rumored that Colonel Emilio Ávalos y Acosta will attack Guerra’s command near the Bay of Cortez to open up a waterway in case Western Railroad service is interrupted, as Guerra has been threatening to dynamite its bridges. There are rumors of a lack of harmony between the Cuban President and Vice President in regards to patronage and the conduct of the war. Rebel leader Ernesto Asbert is threatening to burn foreign properties unless the government accedes to their demands.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-30
Juan Francisco O’Farrill, Secretary of State and Justice for the Republic of Cuba, reports to Jacob Sleeper, the charge d’affaires to Cuba, about the current state of the rebellion. The Cuban government has defeated the rebels in Santa Clara and Havana Provinces, and the newspapers are reporting that the rebellion is on the decline following these losses. Colonel Avalos is restoring public order in Pinar del Rio and is trying to engage with the rebels under Pedro Betancourt Davalos and Faustino Guerra. Other generals are arriving daily in Havana and offering their support to President Tomás Estrada Palma and soon the insurrectionists will be conquered.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-01
Jacob Sleeper, chargé d’affaires in Cuba, updates Secretary of State Root on attempts to quell the insurrection in Cuba. The Cuban government’s offer of amnesty did not have the desired effect, while the rebel forces continue to grow and business owners have become increasingly pessimistic. Sleeper was informed that President Tomás Estrada Palma was strongly opposed to any compromise with the insurrectionists, but he also heard that Estrada Palma is more open to settlement than his public statements suggest. Sleeper describes the efforts of a committee of Cuban veterans to serve as mediators.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-01
Jacob Sleeper, the chargé d’affaires in Cuba, states that there were no disturbances in Santiago Province, but there have been reports of trouble in Camaguey Province. Sleeper has reliable private information that there will be a meeting between between representatives of the government and liberal party to arrange a basis for settlement.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-02
Secretary Montalvo sends instructions from President Roosevelt to General Rodriguez to be distributed among the chiefs operating in the provinces of Pinar del Rio, Havana, Matanzas, and Santa Clara, Cuba. The chiefs are to allow all prisoners or others repenting of their error to return to their homes peacefully. Prisoners captured while in command of bands shall be detained in their respective camps until the government resolves to restore them to liberty or place them at the disposition of the special instructional judge. Rebel chiefs who have surrendered should also be allowed to return to their homes with assurance of no further molestation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-27
Cuban Secretary of State and Justice O’Farrill submits a statement regarding the insurgent forces operating against the government of Cuba and the government forces opposing them. The Cuban government will institute a vigorous campaign as soon as the arms and ammunition ordered from the United States are received, and it hopes to crush the revolt in a short time.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-28
Jacob Sleeper, chargé d’affaires in Cuba, informs Secretary of State Elihu Root that the situation in Cuba is somewhat improved. The Cuban government is recruiting heavily to increase their forces and is offering amnesty to any rebels who lay down their arms.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-28
The chargé d’affaires in Cuba, Jacob Sleeper, informs Secretary of State Root that the uprising has spread to Santa Clara and Mantanzas provinces. Carlos Mendieta is leading the actions in Santa Clara, while those in Mantanzas are being led by an unknown leader and are said to be of little importance. The government is enlisting volunteers, and José Miguel Gómez is under arrest.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-22
Frank S. Cairns explains and details how Cuban revolutionaries receive their funding. Most of the funding is derived domestically, through wealthy Cuban donors. There are rumors that some of their funding originates from the United States but there is no proof of this.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-22